THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WHY ARE UTILITY BILLS SO HIGH?

>> SUMMER IS COMING AND WHAT IS TO STOP US TO BE BACK WHERE WE WERE.

>> HITTING THE BRAKES ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE.

>> MANUFACTURERS SAID IF THE THREAT OF PENALTIES IS ELIMINATED THEY WILL PROVIDE GAS POWERED VEHICLES AND EV'S TO DEALERS.

>> OUR CUSTOMER BASE IS NOT CONVINCED THEY CAN CHARGE THE CAR.

>> AND THE TOP LOBBIEST.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO REPRESENTS YOUR DISTRICT PICK UP THE PHONE AND SEND AN E-MAIL AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

CONNECTING MARREDDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS A MARYLAND RECESSION.

THAT'S WHAT SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON TOLD REPORTERS COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF CUTS TO THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE.

>> WE ARE IN A HIGHLY VULNERABLE STATE THAT IT IS CLEAR THERE IS AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO DISRUPT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH MASSIVE CUTS AND MARYLAND WILL HAVE AN OUT SIZED ROLE IN THAT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR STATE GDP A LOT IS BUOYED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH NIH.

MARYLAND IS SECOND TOES IN IN NSF GRANTS.

>> Jeff: THERE ARE PLANS TO ELIMINATE 12% OF THE NATIONAL WORKFORCE IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY THAT COULD MEAN 1500 JOBS LOST AT THE AGENCY'S HEADQUARTERS.

AND JOHNS HOPKINS LAID OFF HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES IN MARYLAND AND MORE OVERSEAS.

IT IS THE LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYER WITH HALF OF THE FUNDING COMES FROM THE FEDS.

THE BUDGET DEFICIT HAS GROWN THROUGH TO THE LAYOFFS.

THE PROPOSAL TAX TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN BUSINESSES DREW WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION.

>> AND THE SMALL BUSINESS HIRES A CPA TO ENSURE THEY ARE MEETING THEIR TAX OBLIGATION THIS BILL WOULD TAX THEM.

IF A BUSINESS REQUIRES AN AUDIT TO SECURE FUNDING THIS BILL WOULD TAX THEM AND IT HURTS SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Jeff: MORE ON THE TAX DEBATE LATER ON THE PROGRAM.

LEADERS AT THE STATE UTILITIES CAME BEFORE A JOINT HEARING IN ANNAPOLIS AND THE HEARING WAS ANYTHING BUT CORDIAL AS CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WINTER, REPRESENTED BY THE BLUE PART OF THE CHART IT'S ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF IT IS DRIVEN BY INCREASED USAGE BECAUSE OF AN UNPRECEDENTLY COLD WINTER.

>> PG&E GOT THE COLD SHOULDER OVER THE EXPLANATION OF HIGH UTILITY BILLS.

THE COMPANY WAS JUST ONE OF THE MARYLAND UTILITIES GRILLED BY JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE ECONOMIC MATTERS AND THE SENATE EDUCATION ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES.

IN THE HOTSEAT WITH PETCO, SOUTHERN MARYLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVITY AND WASHINGTON GAS.

>> SOME OF THE PRICE INCREASES WE'RE SEEING IN THE MARKET.

OUR 69KB BREAKERS THESE ARE THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS USED IN OUR SUBSTATIONS THAT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LINES THAT COME IN AND THE TRANSFORMERS STEP DOWN THE POWER TO GO TO OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

THOSE BREAKERS HAVE GONE FROM 36,000 IN 2021 TO OVER 80,000 DOLLARS, 125% INCREASE.

>> RATEPAYERS HAVE FELT THE STING OF RISING RATES.

SOME BILLS HAVE DOUBLED IN THE WAKE OF THE COLD-SNAP AROUND THE STATE.

A MEMBER OF PG&E TEAMS SUGGESTED AN EARLY SPRING WOULD BRING WELCOME RELIEF.

SOMEONE FORGOT TO TELL THE GROUP SUMMER ALSO DRIVES UP BILLS.

>> THE PROBLEMS I'M EXPLAINING THE WINTER MONTHS AND HOW WE HAVE COLD WINTER AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS PROVIDING RELIEF BECAUSE WINTER IS OVER MY CONCERN IS THE SUMMER IS COMING.

AND WHAT IS TO STOP US FROM NOT BEING BACK WHERE WE WERE.

>> SENATE MINORITY LEADER WEIGHED IN ON THE CAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES.

SENATOR HERSHEY SUGGESTED THE MAJORITY IS DESPERATE TO BLAME SOMEONE ELSE AND GET AWAY FROM POLICY DECISIONS WHICH ARE DRIVING UP COSTS.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SAY THIS IS ALL IT IS.

IT IS A MATTER OF YOU USING A LOT MORE ELECTRICITY THIS MONTH, WHEN I SEE A BUSINESS THAT IS REGULATED, I'M NOT BLAMING YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GIVE YOU THE DOLLARS.

CAN YOU HELP ME HOW TO EXPLAIN IT BETTER.

>> WE'LL TRY TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF IT IN EDUCATING OUR CUSTOMERS WHAT TO PREPARE FOR.

I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT A LARGE PORTION OF THOSE PROCEEDS GO BACK INTO OUR SYSTEM THAT BENEFITS THE CUSTOMERS WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE AND RELIABLE SERVICE.

>> THERE ARE BILLS IN THE HOPPER THAT WOULD INCREASE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN THE STATE BUT IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR RATEPAYERS.

IN BRANDON SHORES I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: SHOULD THE STATE TAP THE BRAKES ON AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE MAN DAYLIGHT?

SUE COPPIN HAS THAT STORY.

>> THERE MAYBE MORE CHARGING STATIONS LIKE THESE AVAILABLE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AROUND THE STATE.

BUT EV SALES ARE NOT WHAT HAD BEEN HOPED FOR WHEN MARYLAND ADOPTED CALIFORNIA'S CLEAN CAR STANDARDS IN 2007.

>> THE PERRAGE OF NEW CAR SALES BATTERY VEHICLES WAS 10.1% AN INCREASE OF 1% FROM 2023 WHEN SALES WERE 9.1%.

AND THE PERCENTAGE OF NEW CAR SALES PLUG IN ELECTRIC HYBRIDS WAS 2.7%.

>> DANA STEIN TOLD THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

>> KEEP IN MIND THE NUMBERS FOR 2024 WERE BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT THE NEW FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO NOT TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE PULL THE PLUG ON THE $7500 FEDERAL EV TAX CREDIT.

AND TAKE OTHER ACTIONS THAT WILL BE DISCOURAGING TO PURCHASING EV'S.

>> THE PROBLEM: THE PROVISIONS OF THAT 2007 LAW REQUIRED FOR THE 2027 MODEL YEAR MORE THAN 40% OF ALL CARS SOLD IN THE STATE MUST BE ELECTRIC.

AND THAT INCREASE IS TO 51% FOR THE 2028 MODEL YEAR.

FAILURE TO REACH THOSE SALES MARKS COULD RESULT IN COSTLY PENALTIES.

>> WHAT MY BILL DOES IS LIMIT THE PENALTY THREAT ON MANUFACTURERS FOR TWO YEARS.

MANUFACTURERS HAVE SAID THAT IF THE THREAT OF PENALTIES IS ELIMINATED THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BOTH GAS POWERED VEHICLES AND EV'S TO DEALERS AND THIS 2 YEAR INTERIM WE CAN BUILDUP OUR CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH BILLS AND OTHER INITIATIVES AND WE KNOW THAT THAT IS THE MAIN IMPEDIMENT TO GROWING EV SALES THAT IS TO HAVING A BROADER EV CHARGER INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> PETER, PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION AGREES, THE LACK OF CHARGERS IS HOLDING BACK SALES.

>> OUR CUSTOMER BASE IS NOT CONVINCED THEY CAN CHARGE THE CAR.

THEY ARE DEFINITELY AFRAID THEY ARE GOING TO BUY THE VEHICLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO CHARGE IT.

AND THE OTHER PROBLEM, IS DEALERS IS 50% OF OUR CUSTOMER BASE LIVES IN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING EITHER CONDO OR APARTMENT OR TOWNHOUSE OR THEY RENT.

THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO CHARGE THE CAR AT HOME.

AT LEAST NOT NOW.

>> HE SAYS HE FEARS A LOSS OF CUSTOMERS TO NEIGHBORING STATES.

>> WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT'S ELECTED CLEAN CARS IT WILL BE BORDERED BY STATES THAT HAVE NOT DONE THAT.

NOT ONE OF MY DEALERS IS MORE THAN 50 MILES FROM A BORDER.

>> BECAUSE THE BILL WAS SUBMITTED LATE ONLY THE SPONSOR TESTIFIED BUT OPPONENTS SUBMITTED CONCERNS INCLUDING THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB WHICH TOLD THE COMMITTEE QUOTE THAT MOVING TOWARDS CLEANER VEHICLES SAVES LIVES.

DELAYING THESE STANDARDS WOULD HARM OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROGRESS ON OUR CLIMATE GOALS.

AND THE MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CNSERVATION VOTERS SAID THE BILL IS QUOTE UNNECESSARY AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AS THE EXISTING REGULATIONS ALREADY OFFER AMPLE FLEXIBILITY TO MEET EMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

DELEGATE STEIN SAYS THE GOAL REMAINS THE SAME.

>> I THINK SIMPLY PROVIDES ASSURANCES THAT NO FINES WILL OCCUR IN MARYLAND FOR MODEL YEARS 27 AND 28 IS THE MARKET FOR THE PRODUCTS CONTINUES TO DEVELOPMENT.

>> AT THE STATE HOUSE I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE NEW DIABETES AND WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> WHAT THESE DRUGS DO IS SUCH A MIRACULOUS THING.

>> ON THE STREETS OF ANNAPOLIS SOME SAY IT'S WITH TIME THAT MORE PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS LIE OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY.

LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING TO MAKE IT COVERED FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH OBESITY.

>> IF YOU CAN GET PEOPLE IN A PLACE WHERE THEIR HEALTH IS OKAY, BECAUSE THEIR WEIGHT'S OKAY, YOU'VE SAVED SO MUCH MONEY.

YOU'VE MADE A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER POPULATION.

AND IT'S MONEY REALLY WELL SPENT.

>> THAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND THE BILL THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> OBESITY IS A CHRONICLIC DISEASE IT IS NOT A LIFESTYLE CHOICE.

AND WE WANT TO HAVE ALL THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US THAT CAN HELP MAKE THIS POPULATION HEALTHIER AND AT THE END OF DAY COULD DRIVE DOWN MEDICAL COSTS.

>> THE DRUGS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING OBESITY AND TREATING DIABETES.

>> SENATOR LAMB IS THE ONLY PHYSICIAN IN THE SENATE AND SAYS OBESITY IS ON THE RISE AND SEMI GLUE TIEDS CAN BE THE BEST PREVENTATIVE MEASURE.

>> IT WOULD PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DEVELOPING 0 OBESITY LEADING TO MORE CONDITIONS.

ONE EXAMPLE IS THAT THE STATE IF YOU ARE IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WOULD COVER BARRIE ATTRIBUTING SURGERY.

BUT CURRENTLY IT DOESN'T COVER THESE TYPES OF MEDICATIONS TO PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING TO THAT POINT.

>> THE AVERAGE MONTHLY KOST IS AS MUCH AS $1300 A MONTH.

SHOULD THE BILL PASS, THE PROJECTED COST TO THE STATE IS MORE THAN $200 MILLION.

>> WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE DONE SIMILAR LEGISLATION THE UPTAKE OR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT SUBSCRIBE WILL END UP BEING 3% WHICH WOULD BRING THE COSTS LOWER.

>> BEYOND THE COSTS.

>> I'M OLD SCHOOL.

>> THIS MAN WHO LOST 60 POUNDS THROUGH DIET AND EXERCISE SAYS YOU WON'T FIND HIM TURNING TO WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS.

>> I THINK IT'S HEALTHIER THAN JUMPING ON A FAD DRUG I CONSIDER IT A FAD DRUG.

AND LOSING RAPID WEIGHT.

THAT YOU MAY NOT SUSTAIN.

>> I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: IN THE STATE SENATE YESTERDAY, RECOGNITION FOR FOUR MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO DEFENDED THE U.S. CAPITOL DURING THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK FOUR YEARS AGO.

THEY SAY THEIR LIVES WERE FOREVER CHANGED.

>> DONALD TRUMP AND MAGA EXTREMISTS PUT A TARGET ON OUR BACK MY FAMILY HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO DEATH THREATS, BOMB THREATS, SWATTING INCIDENTS, HARASSMENT, PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS.

>> MAYBE WE HAVE TO COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT THIS IS WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTRY.

I REJECT THAT NOTION H IT IS A REALITY BUT LIKE GOVERNOR MOORE TOLD US THIS DEMOCRACY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE FOUR OFFICERS IS STILL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE IS RACHEL BAYE OF WYPR RADIO.

RACHEL THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> Jeff: LET'S SET THE STAGE THREE WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE BUDGET NEWS IS DETERIORATING.

REVENUES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN DOWN AND THE GOVERNOR'S IDEA OF SLOWING DOWN THE INCREASES IN EDUCATION SPENDING LOST BASICALLY IN THE HOUSE.

AND NOW THERE'S THIS NEW IDEA FOR A BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAX.

HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS A TAX ON SERVICES THAT ONE BUSINESS PROVIDES TO ANOTHER.

AS PROPOSED NOW, IT'S PRETTY BROAD IT COVERS EVERYTHING FROM ACCOUNTING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS TO LANDSCAPING, PHOTOGRAPHY, VALET PARKING, ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

AND IT'S LIKELY IF IT DOES PASS, IT'S LIKELY WE WILL SEE SOME C CHANGES TO IT.

RIGHT RIGHT NOW IT IS A 2.5% TAX ON THOSE SERVICES.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH DO THEY THINK THAT COULD BRING IN?

>> THE ESTIMATE IS ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

IT RAMPS UP A LITTLE BIT.

YEAH, ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

>> Jeff: SO WE SAW A RAPID MOBILIZATION FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TURNING OUT IN FORCE TO TESTIFY AGAINST IT.

THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DAVID MOON IS THE SOLO HOUSE SPONSOR OF THIS.

HE TESTIFIED WHAT DID HE SAY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN IS PRESENTED A TAX ON SERVICES IN VARIOUS FORMS IN THE PAST.

HE SAID INTERESTINGLY HE SAID HE WAS NOT PLANNING TO INTRODUCE A TAX THIS YEAR.

HE DID NOT WANT TO INTRODUCE A TAX.

BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S VARIOUS ACTIONS, CUTS, LAYOFFS NECESSITATED THIS.

HE SAID THAT THIS IS ONE OPTION ON THE TABLE IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THAT HE IS IN FAVOR OF DOING THIS.

BUT HE THINKS THAT THIS IS GOOD OPTION FOR LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER IN THE MENU OF OPTIONS.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON ADDRESSED THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL THIS MORNING DURING HIS PRESS CONFERENCE.

AND HE WAS SAYING THAT BUSINESSES THIS IS INTERESTING TO ME HE SAID THAT BUSINESSES ARE LIKELY TO FARE REALLY WELL IN THE EVENTUAL TAX CUTS THAT WE MIGHT SEE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO GET RELIEF THERE.

MOST LIKELY.

SO THIS KIND OF IS A BALANCED APPROACH THAT ALLOWS THE STATE TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET SERVICES THAT WILL BE RELIED BY FEDERAL WORKERS GETTING LAID OFF RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: VERY GOOD.

RACHEL BAYE WYPR RADIO.

YOU CAN READ AND HEAR HER REPORTING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER IS LISA HARRIS JONES, MARYLAND'S NUMBER ONE LOBBIEST.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: FOR PEOPLE WATCHING WHO ARE NOT ANNAPOLIS INSIDERS WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A LOBBIEST AND WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS MADE YOU GOOD AT IT?

>> I ALWAYS WHEN SPEAKING TO NEW CLIENTS I SHARE THAT I'M WE ARE A LAW FIRM FIRST AND WE ARE LAWYERS AND WE POINT OUT THAT YOU WOULD NEVER DID TO COURT WITHOUT A LAWYER.

AND YOU WOULD NEVER GO TO ANY OTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WITHOUT BRINGING YOUR LAWYER.

WHY WOULD YOU GO IN FRONT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WITHOUT YOUR LAWYER.

SO WE REPRESENT CLIENTS ON MATTERS RELATED TO POLICY, LEGISLATION, ANYTHING THAT COULD AFFECT THEIR BUSINESS OR THEIR PERSONAL LIFE.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU ARE TALKING WITH THOSE POTENTIAL CLIENTS DO THEY CONSIDER YOUR STATUS DO THEY LOOK AT YOUR CLIENT LIST AND THINK WOW, SHE'S GOOD?

OR SHE'S TOO BUSY FOR US?

>> I THINK THEY LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THIS IS PROBABLY MY 30TH SESSION IF YOU WERE TO INCLUDE SPECIAL SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

SO WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT BEING EFFECTIVE WITHIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN UNDERSTANDING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, UNDERSTANDING HOW TO -- HOW AGENCIES IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WORKS.

AND I THINK WHEN LOOKING AT MY CLIENT LIST AND LOOKING AT THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, THERE'S -- I WOULDN'T BE HERE FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS AND WORKING WITH A PRETTY GOOD LIST OF COMPANIES AND NONPROFITS IF I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT PROCESS AND I DIDN'T HAVE THOSE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THEY LOOK AT FIRST.

>> Jeff: NOW, THE IMAGE OF LOBBIESTS, OUR VIEWERS MAY ASSOCIATE THE PROFESSION WITH THE PROVERBIAL SMOKE FILLED BACK ROOM.

FRANKLY THERE ARE A COUPLE PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS THAT HELD THE TITLE OF NUMBER ONE LOBBIEST WHO WOUND UP IN LEGAL TROUBLE.

DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE IMAGE OF THE PROFESSION AND ARE YOU IN IF A POSITION TO HELP IMPROVE IT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WE'RE VERY IMPORTANT.

AS LOBBIESTS ARE IMPORTANT TO SHARE WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND, AGAIN, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THEIR STAFF, UNDERSTANDING OF HOW FOR EXAMPLE, PARTICULAR COMPANY'S BUSINESS WORKS.

AND THAT ANY TYPE OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR NEW POLICY HOW THAT COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT THEM IN A POSITIVE WAY OR HOW IT COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR CLIENT'S BUSINESS.

BEING A GOOD LOBBIEST, YOU READ YOUR BILLS.

YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH AND LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING DONE IN OTHER STATES AND JURISDICTIONS.

AND WE ARE THE ONES, I THINK, THAT ARE HELPFUL TO THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THESE AGENCIES TO SHARE WITH THEM WHAT THEIR NEW IDEAS OR WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX THINGS, HOW IT ACTUALLY WILL WORK IN REAL-LIFE AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT A BUSINESS THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.

>> Jeff: YES.

>> WE'RE IMPORTANT.

AND.

>> Jeff: ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WONDER IF THERE IS A PERCEPTION IN PART BECAUSE IT IS A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE THAT THE LOBBYING CORE IS TOO IMPORTANT.

THAT FRANKLY, THE PLACE COULDN'T REALLY FUNCTION WITHOUT YOU.

BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE GROUPS THAT MAY HAVE SOME INVOLVEMENT IN AN ISSUE, COMMUNITY GROUP WHAT HAVE YOU THAT DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET FOR A BIG LOBBYING FIRM MIGHT BE AT A DISADVANTAGE?

>> WELL, I THINK NOT NECESSARILY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE AND IT'S INTERESTING WE'VE WORKED WITH NONPROFITS AND SMALL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HOUSE OF RUTH AND EVEN SMALL HOA'S THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE WHO REPRESENTS YOUR DISTRICT AND DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU SEE ACTUALLY COMES FROM A CONSTITUENT'S CONCERN WHERE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS HEARD FROM A CONSTITUENT AND UNDERSTANDS THEIR ISSUES.

AND DECIDES TO MAKE A LEGISLATIVE CHANGE TO A LAW OR TO INTRODUCE A NEW LAW THAT COULD BE HELPFUL TO THEM.

SO IT DEPENDS ON HOW ACTIVE YOU WANT TO BE.

AND HOW BIG OF A VOICE YOU WANT TO HAVE.

I THINK THERE ARE AND I'VE SEEN IT WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL HOA OR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IS ABLE TO BE EFFECTIVE AND MAKE CHANGES IN LAWS OR TWEAKS IN CERTAIN POLICIES.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL ENTITY LIKE THAT THAT IS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT PUT OFF BY THE COMPLEXITY OF ANNAPOLIS, THE HUSTLE BUSTLE, AND YOU KNOW, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP LIKE THAT TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION?

AND IF YOU WERE IN THAT SEAT, HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE THEY GO ABOUT IT?

>> FIND OUT WHO REPRESENTS YOUR DISTRICT.

PICK UP THE PHONE.

SEND AN E-MAIL.

AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THAT REPRESENTATIVE E. WHETHER IT'S YOUR SENATOR OR YOUR DELEGATE.

AND SHARE IT WITH THEM YOUR CONCERNS AND I WOULD SAY THAT FOR THE MOST PART, YOU WILL GET A GOOD REACTION FROM AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO BE HELPFUL.

>> Jeff: I LISTEN TO AN INTERVIEW YOU DID WITH THE DAILY RECORD WHICH WAS TERRIFIC AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HOLD YOURSELF TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD.

I MEAN, YOU HAVE A PIONEERING ROLE YOU ARE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE THE TOP BILLING LOBBIEST IN THE SHOWINGS.

AND YOU FEEL A BIT OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM THAT, AM I SUMMARIZING THAT CORRECTLY?

>> SURE IS.

I'M ACTUALLY THE FIRST WOMAN AND THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR.

SO I FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUNG WOMEN THAT ARE COMING UP IN THIS PROFESSION.

AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THAT WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IN THE LATE 90s, FRANKLY, THERE WEREN'T IF THERE WERE ANY PEOPLE THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, THERE WERE -- YOU HAD TRAIL BLAZERS BY FRANK BOSTON THAT HAS BEEN DOWN HERE, ELLEN VALENTINO, PAM METS THAT I WATCHED HER WORK ETD THICK THEY WORKED VERY HARD.

THEY READ THEIR BILLS.

THEY BUILT RELATIONSHIPS.

AND THEY WERE GREAT PEOPLE TO FOLLOW BEHIND.

>> Jeff: AND I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE PATH TO THIS PROFESSION KIND OF STARTED IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CLASS?

>> YEAH.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER.

BUT I COULDN'T GET THROUGH ORGANIC I ACTUALLY WALKED OUT ON THE FIRST DAY AND DECIDED I WAS NOT GOING TO -- THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY SISTER WAS IN LAW SCHOOL AT THE TIME AND I SAID WELL I'LL JUST GO TO LAW SCHOOL.

>> Jeff: THE 90-DAY SESSION HAS TO BE A PRESSURE COOKER FOR YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES.

I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU DO IN THE OFF SEASON?

SAY IT'S THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT CONVENING FOR MONTHS, WHAT DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

>> SO, AGAIN, WE ARE, I MANAGE A LAW FIRM.

SO THE MAJORITY OF THE LOBBIESTS THAT WORK WITHIN MY FIRM ARE ATTORNEYS.

SO WE DO A LOT OF WORK IN THE AREA OF PROCUREMENT.

MY BUSINESS PARTNER SEAN MALONE HAS A PRETTY LARGE LABOR PRACTICE.

HE DOES LABOR NEGOTIATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT, FOR SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS.

WE PREPARE OUR CLIENTS FOR THE UPCOMING SESSIONS.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE SESSION MAY HAVE ENDED, THERE ARE SUMMER STUDIES, THERE'S BRIEFINGS, THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT WE KNOW WILL HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE NEXT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SO WE'RE DOING THE WORK.

BRUCE WHO, YOU KNOW, TAUGHT ME A LONGTIME AGO THAT THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME PERIOD WHERE YOU GO AND YOU MEET WITH LEGISLATORS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICT, UNDERSTAND THEM.

AND UNDERSTAND WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM.

AND THEN SHARE WITH THEM THE CONCERNS OF YOUR CLIENTS SO THAT WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS STARTED AS YOU SAID 90 DAYS IS VERY QUICK, YOU'VE ALREADY DONE THE WORK BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS.

AND NOW YOU'RE ACTUALLY JUST GETTING THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION OVER THE FINISH LINE.

>> Jeff: LISA HARRIS JONES OF HARRIS, JONES MALONE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: COMING UP NEXT WEDNESDAY ON MPT A NEW DOCUMENTARY LOOKS AT THE COLLAPSE OF THE KEY BRIDGE NEARLY ONE YEAR AGO.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE WAS A GATEWAY TO THE WORLD.

>> THAT BRIDGE WAS OUR CONNECTION.

>> THEN IT VANISHED IN SECONDS.

>> THE WHOLE BRIDGE COLLAPSED.

>> MEET THE FIRST-RESPONDERS.

>> WE WERE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> EXAMINE THE CHALLENGES.

>> IT IMPACTED THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORLD.

>> AND LEARN HOW OUR STATE MOVES FORWARD.

>> WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH.

AND WE ARE BALTIMORE STRONG.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE DISASTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON MPT.

>> Jeff: THE PROGRAM AIRS WEDNESDAY EVENING AT 8:00 P.M. ON MPT.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]